Greater New Haven Jewish women have a wonderful opportunity to become lifelong philanthropists through the Women of Vision Society -- a permanent, restricted endowment fund dedicated to helping and enhancing the lives of women in our community. Created in 1996 by 100 founding members, the endowment and has since then more than doubled in its membership and giving. To date, over $210,000 has been distributed in grants to a wide variety of agencies and causes, ranging from employment and literacy to acculturation and health issues.
Here's a look at Kaleidoscope, a past Women of Vision Grant recipient located in Israel; as well as a list of this year's grant recipients.
SPOTLIGHT ON KALEIDOSCOPE, ISRAEL: A PAST WOMEN OF VISION GRANT RECIPIENT
Kaleidoscope is an educational approach that aims to foster an appreciation for the value of diversity and respect between Israel's many different constituencies and cultures. Using interactive activities, the project develops in educators, parents and students of all ages and cultures social skills -- such as empathy, problem solving and respectful communication -- needed to lay a foundation of understanding and acceptance amongst Israel’s various populations.
This goal of this unique initiative is to bring together 22 religious and secular native Israeli and Ethiopian early childhood educators and their aides to help them become diversity education facilitators and bring an appreciation for diversity into their kindergarten classrooms.
With the help of the Kaleidoscope staff, each aide builds a plan to help strengthen her place at work For example, Miri, an aide in a religious kindergarten, built a plan to help children struggling with separating from their parents in the morning. She asked the children what their strengths were and what they enjoy doing in kindergarten. She then assigned each kindergartener a responsibility for when they first arrive at school. Soon, several children were happily coming to class each morning, no longer struggling with separation anxiety.
WOMEN OF VISION GRANT RECIPIENTS 2022
Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven—Dignity Grows Dignity Grows mobilizes volunteers to assemble and distribute free, reusable totes filled with a month’s supply of basic menstrual and hygiene products. This program partners with local organizations, like Jewish Family Service and the Diaper Bank, to distribute supplies to the women who need them.
Yashar LaChayal—Female Hareidi Lone Soldier Project Launched in 2019, this initiative supports female ultra-orthodox lone soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), who are not supported by their families. The Lone Soldier Project provides them with housing and a support system during and after their service.
Camp Laurelwood—CL at the Well Connecticut's only Jewish overnight summer camp is launching a new program centered around young women’s development, care, and empowerment. The camp plans to host sessions throughout the summer for female staff and campers, administered by year-round female staff members.
The Towers Horticulture Therapy for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults Horticulture Therapy at The Towers brings social, emotional, and cognitive value to residents and volunteers. Twice a month, residents and volunteers create floral arrangements together, that they then display—and enjoy—in their apartments and throughout the common areas.
BBYO Building Sisterhood BBYO brings Jewish teens together. BBYO's female identifying members -- aka BBGs -- bond, celebrate, and grow together through programs rooted in traditions and self-love, such as the popular BBYO regional conventions, which always have special moments for BBGs.
The Israeli Center for Cult Victims—Single-Parent Mothers’ Seminar on Personal Empowerment and Economic Growth for Cult Survivor Women Many cult victims suffer from emotional and economic struggles once exiting the cult. The Single Parent Mother’s Seminar, a program of The Israeli Center for Cult Victims, provides single mothers with practical knowledge and useful tools to restore their independence and economic stability.
Haifa Rape Crisis Center (HRCC)—You Are Not Alone HRCC provides an emotional resilience group for mothers whose children have been sexually harmed or abused. Groups of 10 women each run for 25 sessions, and are overseen by two professionally trained facilitators.
Shaalei Tikva—Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program This program helps young at-risk girls who are part of the Shaalei Tikva “Warm Home” after school program by bringing them together with their mothers and grandmothers to celebrate their bat mitzvahs. The inter-generational experience enhances their connection to Jewish tradition and helps highlight the positive bonds between them that may be lacking.
JScreen at Emory University—Jewish Federation & JCC of Greater New Haven JScreen Fund Through educational outreach efforts, Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, in collaboration with JScreen, is providing FREE genetic, cancer screening and counseling.
